Welcome back to the Summer Term 2024!

15.4.24

Dear Elf Owl Families,

We hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful Easter break! We have many exciting things planned for the term ahead and we are looking forward to getting started on our new topic 'Are Minibeasts like me?' The topic will include finding out about different insects and 'minibeasts', going on bug hunts and learning about animal lifecycles. We will enjoy reading lots of related books such, as 'The very Hungry Caterpillar' and 'Aaaarghhhh Spider!' This is a term for enjoying the outdoors and all the learning it has to offer!

Phonics

In Phonics this term we will introduce the last of our trigraphs /ear/ (hear) and /ure/ (pure) before concentrating on reading and writing CVCC words (consonant, vowel, consonant, consonant words, such as 'tent') and CCVC words (consonant, consonant, vowel, consonant words, such as 'snap'). We will also be revisiting and consolidating all sounds taught this year and asking the children to apply their phonic knowledge in reading and writing. At Parents' evenings this week, we will provide you with the areas your child is secure in and their target areas, so please do support your child with learning any sounds they are not fully secure with at home.

Reading

We read with the children in school 2-3 times weekly using the Monster Phonics books which link to the sounds we teach in phonics. At the end of each week, your child will come home with a Monster Phonics book; please read and enjoy this with your child as it helps them to practise and consolidate their learning. In addition to the Monster Phonics books, we send home 'reading for pleasure' or practise books; please spend 10 minutes each day sharing these books with your child. Ideally, they will read to you, but if they are particularly tired one day, you can read to them! 

Maths

In maths this term, we will focus on counting, recognising number patterns, adding, subtracting, sharing and grouping and shape. As with phonics, we will share with you at Parents' evening, your child's areas of strength in maths and areas to develop. We suggest 'little and often' when practising maths skills and concepts at home; this could be through short activities such as counting together whilst going along in the car or playing a board game and counting on.

P.E and Forest School

P.E this term will be taught by Mrs Ray on a Wednesday afternoon when we will focus on 'Speed Agility Travel'. Please send your child to school dressed for P.E on Wednesdays. Forest school will be taught by Mrs Howlett on a Thursday morning. Please send your child to school wearing school uniform on Thursday, but make sure they have a set of old clothes, waterproofs and wellies in school to get changed into.

Uniform and Clothing

Please make sure your child comes to school in full school uniform (see 'Our Parents' page on the school website for more details). As the weather becomes warmer, the children will also need a sun hat and sun cream applied in the morning (we can help your child to apply additional sun cream later in the day, if they bring their own bottle in, clearly labelled with their name). As the children have access to the outdoors in all weathers, it is very important that the children have some spare clothes, waterproofs and wellies in the cloakroom at all times. We learn a lot in Elf Owls, but we can get messy!

We have really enjoyed teaching your children so far this year and we are looking forward to sharing their progress with you all at Parents' evenings (Tuesday and Thursday) this week! 

With our warmest wishes

The Elf Owl Team

Mrs Ray: Teacher (Mon-Wed)

Miss Taylor: Teacher (Thurs-Fri)

Mrs Howlett: Teaching Assistant and Forest School Teacher (Daily- all day/ Forest School on Thurs)

Miss Belcher: Teaching Assistant (Daily- mornings)

Miss Bush: Teaching Assistant (Daily- afternoons)

Mrs Fairfax: Teaching Assistant (Thursdays)